Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on vaccine-preventable disease campaigns

Progress Toward Regional Measles Elimination — Worldwide, 2000–2021

“…All WHO regions remain committed to measles elimination; however, no region has achieved and sustained elimination targets. Drops in MCV1 coverage and declines in surveillance performance that started or continued during the COVID-19 pandemic persisted in 2021 ( 5 – 7 ). Among regions, the Southeast Asia Region faced the largest decrease in MCV1 coverage (from 94% to 86%) between 2019 and 2021, and only the European Region maintained MCV1 coverage from 2020 to 2021.…”

Current Impact and Long-Term Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Iraqi Healthcare Systems: A Case Study

“…By December 2021, Iraq missed at least one VPDs campaign, leaving millions of children at risk of devastating diseases because of the limited import of vaccines, extended curfew, and the ban on international flights coming to the country [ 79 ]. Additionally, the fear of parents and children contracting an infection at a health facility might explain the decline in vaccination during the pandemic; however, research has shown that the risk of COVID-19 transmission is minimal if safety precautions are implemented properly [ 105 ]. For example, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health was able to vaccinate 1.5 million children against measles by establishing vaccination sites outdoor and in well-ventilated areas [ 105 ].…”

“…Additionally, the fear of parents and children contracting an infection at a health facility might explain the decline in vaccination during the pandemic; however, research has shown that the risk of COVID-19 transmission is minimal if safety precautions are implemented properly [ 105 ]. For example, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health was able to vaccinate 1.5 million children against measles by establishing vaccination sites outdoor and in well-ventilated areas [ 105 ].…”

“…Additionally, enhancing VPDs surveillance and providing an adequate supply of PPE and vaccines are also important [ 117 ]. Moreover, planning an integrated vaccination campaign during COVID-19 vaccination is essential to avoid the accumulation of individuals with immunity gaps, as children might grow out of the target age for specific vaccines [ 105 ]. Empowering girls and women by providing equal opportunities in the educational, economic, and political sectors; inclusion of GBV risk mitigation strategies as part of the COVID-19 response plan [ 118 , 119 ]; capacity building; cross-sector collaboration at all levels; scaling up of some of the local initiatives to other regions in Iraq; and increasing funding to GBV programs.…”

“…Additionally, enhancing VPDs surveillance and providing an adequate supply of PPE and vaccines are also important [ 117 ]. Moreover, planning an integrated vaccination campaign during COVID-19 vaccination is essential to avoid the accumulation of individuals with immunity gaps, as children might grow out of the target age for specific vaccines [ 105 ].…”